A recent investigation revealed that 13% of aircraft arriving in South Korea from abroad tested positive for pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported yesterday that they were conducting a pilot program for in-flight hygiene inspections on international flights between July 31 last year and the end of June this year. Out of 1,702 flights inspected, 222 (13.04%) were found to have waterborne and foodborne pathogens.
The findings included 178 cases of enterotoxigenic E. coli, 126 instances of enteropathogenic E. coli, 19 cases of Salmonella, 13 cases of enterohemorrhagic E. coli, 6 cases of enteroinvasive E. coli, 6 cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and 2 cases of bacterial dysentery.
Yangyang Airport had the highest detection rate, with 30.0%) of flights arriving with pathogens.
Following Incheon Airport, which had a detection rate of 20.81%, were Cheongju Airport at 14.77%, Gimhae Airport at 4.44%, and Daegu Airport at 3.70%. No pathogens were detected at Jeju Airport or Muan Airport.
The Disease Control Agency informed the affected airlines about the inspection results and requested they disinfect the aircraft.
In-flight hygiene inspections involved quarantine officers boarding the aircraft immediately after landing to check the hygiene conditions onboard. The goal is to ensure that individuals entering or exiting the country do so in a safe environment.
These inspections were halted for about three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed on a trial basis at the end of July last year.
Beginning on the 29th of this month, the Disease Control Agency will standardize the number of inspection items from 8-11 to 9 types. They will also expand the sample collection locations from just restrooms to include restrooms and foldable tables, aiming to improve the hygiene standards on aircraft. They also plan to diversify the inspected flights to include those from the Philippines, India, and Ethiopia.
